Refrigerating apparatus



Nov. 8, 1938. H; B. HULL ET AL 2,135,515

REFRIGERAT ING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 31, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet lwfiww Y LBFM BY ATTORNEY I Nov. '8, '1 938.

H. YB. HULL ET AL 2,135,515

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 31 1931 5 Sheet-Sheet 2 W JVE TORQJ'QHCW d BY ATTOR N EY Nov. 8, 1938. H. B.'HULL ET ALREFRIGERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Jafi. 51, 1931 3 SheetsSheet 5ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 8, 1938 PATENT 'orrica REFRIGERATING APPARATUSHarry B. Hull and Alex -A. McCormack, Dayton,

Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to General Motors Corporation, acorporation of Delaware Application January 31, 1931, Serial No.

Renewed May 26, 1937 17 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus of the compressiontype and more particularly to motor-compressor units for use withrefrigerating apparatus of such type.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedcompressing apparatus which is inexpensive to manufacture, economical tooperate and easily assembled. I

Another object is to provide an improved compressing means of theoscillating ring type having a plurality of compression spaces, and toprovide means for sealing said compression spaces from one another,which means also seals the intake from the discharge sides of saidcompressing means.

Another object is to provide aneccentric cs cillating ring typecompressing means with counter-balancing means to lessen vibrations.

Another object is to provide improved means for loading and unloadingthe compressing means.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is atop plan view, partly in elevation andpartly broken away, of a compressing apparatus embodying features of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a view of a refrigerating system embodying features of theinvention showing, the system partly diagrammatic and an enlarged viewin cross-section of the compressing apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the viewof the compressing apparatus being taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 3 is a view in cross-section of a portion of the compressingapparatus shown in-Fig. 2, the view being taken in the direction of thearrows 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and showinga modified form of sealingmeans for the compressing apparatus; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the compressing apparatusshown in Fig. 1 andshowing a side view in elevation'ofthe dischargevalve mechanism. Referring to the drawings, the numeral des- 3 ignatesin general a refrigerating system-which includes therein.amotor-compressor unit 22, condenser 24 and cooling or evaporatorelement 26. The motor-compressor unit herein shown is of the type inwhich both the motor and compressor are enclosed within a fluid-tight,hermetically sealed casing. However, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to such a compressing unit. The compressingunit 22 comprises motor which includes rotor 33 and stator 35, and acompressing means 31 ac- 5 tuated by motor 30. The compressing unitwithdraws gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator through a vaporconduit 42, compresses the gaseous refrigerant and delivers it to thecondenser wherein it is liquefied and from which it is de- 10 livered toa receiver 43 which is connected to the evaporator-by means of a supplyconduit 45 under the control, of an expansion valve 36. The compressingmeans 31 is shown as driven by the electric motor 30 and the startingand 15 stopping of the motor is controlled by an automatic switch 4!controlled by a thermostat bulb 48 in the vicinity of the evaporator 26.

The motor-compressor unit 22 is enclosed within the fluid-tight casingto which includes an upper cover 50, and an intermediate member 52 and alower member 54 suitably clamped together by screws 55 and 56. The lowermember 54 and the intermediate member 52 cooperate to form a reservoirv51 for a body of lubricating 25 oil preferably mineral oil. Theintermediate member 52 serves also to provide an intake chamber 59,which is provided with a check valve located at the inlet thereof topermit refrigerant to enter said chamber but preventing re- 30 turnthereof. The intermediate member 52 is provided with a horizontal web orplate 62 at the top thereof which serves to divide the casing 40 intotwo separate chambers for compressed fluid,

- namely, 65 and 66. Both chambers are located 35 on the same side ofthe compressor, and for instance, on the high pressure side as shown inthe drawings. The web 62 is provided with an annular groove whichprovides a compression chamber for the compressing means 31. 40

The compressing means 31 is of the oscillating ring type which is one ofthe types which must be 'flooded with a lubricant to accomplish anyapthe outer periphery of said ring and a second compression space isprovided adjacent the inner periphery of said ring. Thus it will benoted that there is provided a compression space adjacent each peripheryof the ring I4 as shown in Fig. 3 where one compression space isindicated at I5 and a second compression space is indicated at I6. Eachof the compression spaces is provided with a separate discharge valve11. Compression abutments are provided in the form of an oscillating orrocking pin 80 disposed within the compression chamber III to seal onecompression space from the other and arranged so as to be in engagementwith at least one of the ends of the ring during pumping operation so asto prevent leakage from one compression space to the other. Theoscillating pin as shown in Fig. 3 is disposed Within the chamber IIIwith its ends in slidable engagement with opposite vertical walls of theannular groove or compression chamber 10. During the operation of thecompressing means the pin 80 oscillates with its ends slidably engagingthe walls of the compression chamber I0 while the ring member I4oscillates within the compression chamber 10 with respect to the axis ofthe pin 80. Throughout operation of the compressing means there is aplane contact between at least one end of the ring I4 and one side of Ithe oscillating pin 80. That is, the end of the ring 14 is flush withthe side wall of the oscillating pin during pumping action and is in asliding engagement during pumping operation and in stationary engagementtherewith when the compressor is in its idle condition. Thus theoscillating ring 14 oscillates within the compression chamber III withrespect to the axis of the pin 88, and the oscillating pin oscillateswith its ends slidably engaging opposite vertical walls of thecompression chamber. By' this arrangement there is provided two distinctcompression spaces, and, also by the present arrangement one compressionspace is entirely sealed from the other and the intake side of thecompressing means is also sealed by the same means from the dischargeside.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown a modified form of compressingmeans. In this modification the oscillating pin 82 is formed in twopieces and is held in engagement with one end of the oscillating ring bymeans of a spring 83. This arrangement provides a self-adjusting contactbetween the ring and pin on the dis-- charge side of the compressingmeans to thus prevent any recompression of gas. Other details shown inthis modification correspond to those shown in Fig. 3.

The compressing means 31 is arranged to be actuated by a shaft 85 whichis driven by rotor 33 of motor 30. The shaft 85 is journaled on its oneend in a bearing 81 which is carried by web 62 and on its opposite endis journaled in a hearing carried by the lower member 54 of the casing40. The shaft 85 maintains its position within the bearings 81 and 98 bymeans of gravity, the end of said shaft resting upon a button carried bythe lower member 54 of casing 40. The shaft on its upper end is providedwith an eccentric portion 100 which carries the ball bearingmember I02.The ball bearing member I02 engages the disc-shaped member 12 by aslipfit at 12a to thus engage the ring I4. As shown vin the drawings thecompression chamber is concentric with the main portion of the shaft 85while the ring member 'I4 is concentric with the eccentric portion ofshaft 85. Thus it will be noted that rotation of shaft 85 due to theeccentric arrangement-thereon that the ring I4 oscillates within thecompression chamber III in the manner previously described. In order tocountor-balance said eccentric arrangement there is providedcounter-balancing means I05 which is carried by shaft 85 diametricallyopposite to the eccentric portion of the shaft 85. The counter balancingmeans I05 includes a portion I88 above the disc-shaped member I2 and asimilar portion I01 which is located below said disc-shaped member. Aspreviously stated the disc-shaped member 12 forms the top Wall of thecompression chamber I0 and as will be noted said disc-shaped memberrests upon the web 62 by gravity alone.

Means have been provided for sealing the joints between the disc 12 andthe web 62 to thus seal the compression chamber so as to enable thecompressing means to perform its compressing action. In order to providemeans for sealing said joint we employ the lubricant within thereservoir for submerging the compressing means in lubricant. This isaccomplished by providing a spiral groove III) on the lower end of shaft85. This groove receives lubricant from the reservoir 51 throughstrainer III and passage la. The groove IIU communicates with a radialbore I I2 in shaft 85, which bore leads to a central passage H5. Thecentral passage permits lubricant to flow through the open end at thetop of the passage and into the chamber 65. The lubricant thus suppliedto the chamber 65 acts to lubricate the compressing means and to sealthe joint between the disc-shaped member 12 and the web 62. ,The centralpassage H5 in shaft 85 also communicates with a radial bore I25 in shaft85 for supplying lubricant to the bearing 81 while the spiral passage IIII in shaft 85 serves to supply lubricant to bearing 90. Thedisc-shaped member I2 is provided with a plurality of vertical passagesIIIIA which extend from the top of said disc-shaped member to theunderside thereof which is in engagement with the web 62'to thus permitlubricant to flow therethrough to lubricate the joint between the discand web. In order to lubricate the bottom wall of the compressionchamber III a plurality of vertical passages I I2 have been provided inthe disc-shaped member 12 and which extend from the top thereof throughthe bottom of the oscillating ring 14. A separate'passage H3 is providedin disc I2 which leads to a plurality of passages I I4 formed at rightangles to each other in .pin 80 to lubricate between the ends of the pin80 and walls of chamber I0, and between the sides of the pin 80 and theends of ring I4.

The operation of the compressor is as follows:

The gaseous refrigerant, for example CHzClF, is withdrawn from the vaporconduit as previously stated and is drawn into the intake chamber 59which communicates with the pressure chamber I0 through an intakepassage I40 which communicates with a passage I42 provided in the ringI4. The passage I42 extends from one side to the other of ring I4 so asto supply fluid to be compressed to each compression space in thecompression chamber I0. By this arrangement gaseous refrigerant or therefrigerant from the intake or low pressure side of the receiver isadmitted to the compression chamber to be compressed. The compressedrefrigerant is then discharged through valves I'I which are covered by afilm of lubricant received from the oil pump III] to thus dampe valvenoises. The valves 'I'I are provided with a cut-awayportion I45 15 tectthe windings of the motor 2,135,515 which tends to form a smallreservoir for lubriflow drain for lubricant from the chamber 65 to bereturned to the reservoir 51. The high pressure gas also passes throughconduits I before entering the high pressure chamber 66. The highpressure gas passes from the chamber 66 into the condenser 24 aspreviously stated through a suitable outlet passage I51. In order toprothere is provided a shield I which is carried by the rotor 33 andextends above the lowermost portion of the conduit I55. This shield I60prevents the oil which is being drained from the chamber to reservoir 51from splashing upon the windings of the motor and permits same to passthrough passages I02 provided in the .rotor 33 to the reservoir 51, andsince the uppermost portion of the shield I60 is above the lowermostportion of the conduit I55 the shield I60 tends to act as a separatorfor separating some of the lubricant which may become entrained with thegas in passing from conduit I55 to outlet I61. However, in the eventsome lubricantshould become entrained with the gas and pass into thechamber 66 on the outside of the-shield I60 itis returned to thereservoir 51 by means of one or more passages I6l provided in the stator35.

In refrigerating apparatus of the type herein described it is customaryto operate the compressor intermittently to maintain the evaporator, orthe refrigerator cabinet which generally houses the evaporator at asubstantially constant temperature. Thus it is customary to start thecompressor when the temperature in the refrigerator reaches apredetermined high limit and to stop the compressor when the temperaturereaches a predetermined low limit. Since the discharge or high pressureside of the compressor is under condenser pressure and the suction orlow pressure side is under evaporator pressure, it is obvious that thecompressor whether of the rotarytype, oscillating type, the vibratortype or of any other type, start'under load and consequently the motorrequires a high starting torque unless some means is provided forpermitting the motor to reach a running speed before the load is takenup. In order to provide means for loading and unloading the compressingmeans we have provided the intake chamber 59 and have'arranged for thehigh pressure gas in the chambers 65 and 66 to escape therefrom, duringperiods of idleness of the compressor, through the compressing means andcompression chamber I0 into the intake chamber 59 so as to equalize thepressure within the chambers 59, 65 and 66. This leakage through thepump takes-place between the joint of the disc-shaped member and a webmember 62 and some leakage occurs through the passages I I2 whichleads'to the bottom wall of the compression chamber 10 from the chamber65. By this arrangement sufiicient high pressure gaswill pass into thechamber 59 so as to enable the compression chamber '|0 to be suppliedwith high pressure gas until the motor attains a running speed. This isaccomplished by providing an intake chamber of sufllcient size toaccommodate such a quantity of high compressed gas. Thus it will benoted that the compressing means is acting upon high compressed gas andthe compressing of low pressure gas into'high pressure gas will not takeplace until the high pressure gas has all been withdrawn from thechamber 59 and low pressure gas is admitted into the compression chamberI0.

The rotation of shaft is clockwise (Figs. 3 and 4) giving the ring 14 atendency to rotate alsoclockwise, thus maintaining a contact be-' tweenits end Ma and pin 80. The plane contact i also insures correctoscillation of the pin with the ring.

While the preferred form of the invention includes two compressionchambers, it is to be understood that many advantages of theinvention'may be obtained when only one compressionchamber is used,either on the inner or outer periphery of the ring. While the form ofembodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferredform, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, allcoming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows: 1. A compressor for refrigeratingapparatus comprising in combination a casing, means providing a chamberwithin said casing, an' oscillating ring disposed in said chamber, meansfor actuating said ring, said ring together with said first named meansproviding a compression space adjacent the inner periphery of said ringand providing a compression space adjacent the outer periphery of saidring, and a rocking pin cooperating with said ring for sealing saidcompression spaces from one another, there being a plane contact betweensaid ring and said pin so as to provide a slidable engagementtherebetween, and self-adjusting means for taking up clearance slack formaintaining said contact said self-adjusting means cooperating with saidring and pin.

2. A compressor for refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination afluid-tight casing, means dividing said easing into a plurality ofcompartments, a shaft extending through said means, a motor below saidmeans for driving said shaft, an eccentric on said shaft, a ball bearingmember carried by the eccentric on said shaft, means forming acompression chamber, and an oscillating ring in said chamber actuated bysaid bearing member, said compression chamber communicating with 'one ofsaid compartments and said compartment discharging compressed fluid to asecond compartment through said ball bearing member, said casingproviding an outlet passage in said latter compartment.

3. A compressor for refrigerating apparat comprising in combination adrive shaft, an eccentric on said shaft, a ball bearing member carriedby the eccentric on said shaft, means forming an annular chamber, adisc-shaped member having a downwardly extending ring oscillated by saideccentric, the disc-shaped member forming the top wall of saidchamberand said ring ex-. tending into said chamber, said ring together withsaid chamber forming a plurality of compression spaces during theoperation of said discshaped member, a pin passing through said ring andhaving a sealing engagement with said ring to seal said compressionspaces from each other and individual outlet check valves for eachcompression space carried by said disc-shaped member whereby pressuredifferentials may be established between said compression spaces.

4. A compressor for refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination amember having a flat top portion and having a rectangularlycrosssectioned annular groove in said portion, an oscillator having aflat bottom portion in sealing engagement with said flat top portion andhaving a downwardly extending ring in sealing contact with both sidewalls and bottom of said annular groove to form two compression spaceson each side of said ring, means in sealing contact with said member andwith said ring forming compression abutments in said compression spaces,means forming a compression chamber above said member, means formingdischarge passages from said compression spaces to said compressionchamber adjacent said compression. abutments, and check valves for saiddischarge passages.

A compressor for refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination amember having a flat top portion and having a rectangularlycrosssectioned annular groove in said portion, an o..-

cillator-having a flat bottom portion in sealing.-

engagement with said flat top portion and having a downwardly extendingring in sealing contact with both side walls and bottom of said annulargroove to form two compression spaces on each side of said ring, meansin sealing contact with said member and with said ring formingcompression abutments in said compression spaces, means'forming acompression chamber above said member, means forming discharge passagesfrom said compression spaces to said compression chamber adjacent saidcompression abutments, check valves for said discharge passages andmeans for maintaining a supply of oil over said check valves.

6. A compressor for refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination amotor driven shaft, an eccentric portion on said shaft, means forming anannular compression chamber, an oscillating ring concentric with saideccentric portion, said ring being located in said chamber and actuatedby said eccentric and forming two compression spaces on each side ofsaid ring, means sealing said spaces from each other and oil passages insaid ring.

'7. A compressor for refrigerating apparatus comprising in combination amotor driven shaft, an eccentric portion on said shaft, means forming anannular compression chamber, an oscillating ring concentric with saideccentric portion, said ring being located in said chamberand actuatedby said eccentric and forming two compression spaces on each side ofsaid ring, means sealing said spaces from each other, means fordischarging compressed fluid from one edge of the ring and back throughthe center of said ring.

8. A compressor for refrigerating apparatus comprising a drive shaft,/aneccentric on said drive shaft, means forming an annular chamber, adisc-shaped member having a downwardly extending ring oscillated by saideccentric, the discshaped member forming the top wall of said chamberand said ring extending into said chamber, said ring together with saidchamber forming a compression space during the operation of saiddisc-shaped member, intake means for said compression space, upwardlydirected discharge means from said compression space carried by saiddisc-shaped member, a check valve on said discharge means, and means tomaintain a body of oil on said check valve.

9. A compressor for refrigerating apparatus comprising a drive shaft, aneccentric on said 7; drive shaft, means forming an annular chamber,

a horizontally disposed disc-shaped member having a downwardly extendingring oscillated by said eccentric, the disc-shaped member forming thetop wall of said chamber and said ring extending into said chamber, saidring together with said chamber forming a plurality of compressionspaces during the operation of said discshaped member, intake means forsaid compression spaces, upwardly directed discharge means in saiddisc-shaped member from said compression spaces, check valves carried bysaid discshaped member on said discharge means, and means to maintain abody of oil on said check valves.

10. A compressor comprising a drive shaft, an eccentric on said shaft,means forming a vertical cylindrical chamber, means forming a lowerhorizontal wall for said chamber, means forming an upper horizontal wallfor said chamber, a ring oscillated by said eccentric against saidvertical cylindrical chamber between said upper and lower horizontalwalls, a gas outlet valve on said upper wall, and means for flowing afilm of lubricant over said valve.

11. A compressor comprising a drive shaft, an eccentric on said driveshaft, means forming an annular cylindrical chamber having inner andouter coaxial vertical cylindrical walls, means forming a lowerhorizontal wall for said chamber, means forming an upper horizontal wallfor said chamber, a ring having coaxial cylindrical walls oscillated bysaid eccentric against said inner and outer coaxial vertical cylindricalwalls between said upper and lower horizontal walls, a gas outlet valveon said upper wall, and means for flowing a film of lubricant over saidvalve.

12. A compressor comprising a drive shaft, an

eccentric on said shaft, means forming a vertical cylindrical chamber,means forming a lower horizontal wall for said chamber, a plate formingan upper horizontal wall for said chamber, a ring carried by said plateand oscillated by said eccentric against said vertical cylindricalchamber and against said lower horizontal wall, a gas outlet valve onsaid plate and means for flowing a film of lubricant over said plate.

13. A motor-compressor unit comprising a casing, said casing enclosing amotor and a compressor drivingly connected together, said compressorcomprising a drive shaft, an eccentric on said shaft, means forming avertical cylindrical chamber, means forming a lower horizontal wall forsaid chamber, a plate forming an upper horizontal wall for said chamber,a ring carried by said plate and oscillated by said eccentric againstsaid vertical cylindrical chamber and against said lower horizontalwall, a gas outlet valve on said plate, a reservoir for a body oflubricant, and means for lubricating said motor from said body oflubricant and for maintaining a film of lubricant over said valve.

14. A motor-compressor unit comprising a cas-' ing, said casingenclosing a motor drivingly connected to a compressor comprising a driveshaft, an eccentric on said drive shaft, means forming an annularcylindrical chamber having inner and outer coaxial vertical cylindricalwalls, means forming a lower horizontal wall for said chamber, a plateforming an upper horizontal wall for said chamber, a ring carried bysaid plate having coaxial cylindrical walls oscillated by said eccentricagainst said inner and outer coaxial vertical cylindrical walls betweensaid upper and lower horizontal walls, a gas outlet valve on said plate,and

means for maintaining lubricant over said valve and for circulatinglubricant to said, motor.

15. A compressor for refrigerating apparatus comprising a drive shaft,an eccentric,on said drive shaft, means forming an annular chamber, adisc-shaped member having a downwardly extending ring oscillated by saideccentric, the disc-shaped member forming the top wall of said chamberand said ring extending into said chamber, said ring together with saidchamber forming a compression space during the operation of saiddisc-shaped member, intake means for said compression space, upwardlydirected discharge means from said compression space carried by saiddisc-shaped member, a check valve on said discharge means, and meanscausing the fluid compressed by said compressor to pass through saiddisc-shaped member after having been discharged through said checkvalve.

16. A compressor for refrigerating apparatus comprising a sealed casingdivided by a flat plate having a cylinder formed therein, a disc-shapedpiston member oscillating on said plate and cooperating with saidcylinder, means for discharging compressed fluid from said cylinder toone side of said disc-shaped member, means for passing said compressedfluid through said disc-shaped member to the other side of said fiatplate and an outlet from the casing on the last named side of said flatplate.

17. A compressor having a cylinder, and a piston plate oscillatable withrespect to said cylinder, a refrigerant inlet means in the side of saidplate, means for discharging gaseous compressed refrigerant on one sideof the'plate, and then passing thmgaseous refrigerant through the centerof said compressor to the other side of said plate a casing on said lastnamed side of said plate receiving said gaseous refrigerant, and agaseous refrigerant outlet in said casing.

HARRY B. HULL. ALEX A. McCORMACK.

